Fourteen focus groups in 14 Thai provinces with 122 administrators, teachers and tobacco-control stakeholders found that smoke-free-school gaps stemmed less from absent law than from different authority structures, constrained resources, uneven enforcement, leadership turnover, digital e-cigarette diffusion and monitoring inequity. Teacher networks and provincial endorsement helped, but sustainability required institutional embedding.
Key findings
- Six themes emerged: institutional diversity, structural constraints, enforcement gaps, multilevel enablers, sustainability challenges and field recommendations. Hybrid authority, leadership turnover, e-cigarette diffusion and geographic monitoring disparities constrained action; teacher networks and provincial endorsement enhanced legitimacy.
Why this matters globally
Key proposals are to embed smoke-free criteria in evaluation systems, institutionalise peer networks and allocate monitoring resources equitably rather than relying only on punishment. The governance lesson transfers internationally.
Thai researcher contribution
Chakkraphan Phetphum, Orawan Keeratisiroj and Supanee Boonyom of Naresuan University gathered implementation evidence directly from practitioners across 14 Thai provinces.
Limitations to consider
Sampling may favour provinces already linked to tobacco-control networks. Adult perspectives exclude students; there are no observed smoking behaviours, prevalence trends or intervention effects, and thematic analysis remains interpretive.
Verify the original sources
Journal of School HealthRead the original article↗DOI: 10.1111/josh.70196